Hair waving apparatus



NOV. 23, 1937. w s LEWIS 2,099,856

HAIR WAVING APPARATUS Filed D'eo. 11, 1933 2 sheets-sheet 1 f 58 49 84if I f "F 46 7,8

lL www l nml Tum Man M 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /l\\ O/IHIIIIIHHHUIIIIIM.HHHHINIIIINI .T v TH Nov ..,23, 1937. w. s. LEWISHAIR WAVING APPARATUS Filed Dec. l1, 1955 Patented Nov. 23, 1937 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE Wilbur S. Lewis, Rocky River, Ohio, assignor to TheMurl Oo., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December11, 1933, Serial No. 701,823

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for forming theso-called permanent wave in strands of hair preferably upon the humanhead b-y the croquignole principle, which involves winding the strandsof hair upon a hair receiving rod from its ends inwardly toward thescalp of the head.

The apparatus employed at the present time in the waving of hair havemany disadvantages lo and result in innumerable discomiorts to therecipient.

It is, therefore, one of the important objects of the present inventionto provide a simple apparatus for waving hair which eliminates the disl5advantages now eaisting in the present apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus employingsteam as the heat treating medium which is applied in such a manner asto prevent any possible injury to the hair or recipient of the wave.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing anapparatus for waving hair which is s nip-le, ecient and inexpensive.

With the objects above indicated and other objects hereinafter explainedin View, the invention consists in the improved apparatus for wavinghair hereinafter' described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus embodying the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side View looking inwardly from the left handside of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the apparatus shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of .a hair receiving rod and clamp with thelatter shown in open position employed with the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational vi-ew of a hair receiving rod and clampwith the latter shown in closed position;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on line 6 5 of Fig. 3 and on anenlarged scale to more clearly illustrate the structural details;

Fig. 7 is a top plan View of the manifold with a portion broken away toshow the interior structure and on an enlarged scale.

In the drawings a hair waving apparatus embodying the present inventionVis illustrated wherein suitable ap-paratus is provided for generatingsteam to be used in connection with the forming of so-called permanentwaves in hair upon a recipient. Referring more particularly to Fig. l ofthe drawings, the apparatus comprises a pedestal I0 having a base II atthe lower portion thereof which is adapted to rest upon the floor orother structure for suitably supporting the pedestal in its properupright position. The pedestal IG is of hollow construction, as moreclearly shown in Fig. 6, and is provided at its 5 upper end with anoutwardly haring supporting member I2 which ma-y likewise be formedintegral with the pedestal or connected in any suitable manner as iswell known. The supporting member l2 has a vertically disposed flange I3ex- 10 tending circumferentially thereof and formed integral with theupper portion of the supporting member I2, the flange I3 being slightlyoffset to provide a seat I4. y

A steam generator I5 is provided which con- 15 sists of a metallic waterreceptacle I6, preferably tubular, which has its upper end turnedinwardly to provide a top portion II. This top portion I 'I is providedwith an axial opening I8 within which a flanged member I9 is rigidly se-20 cured. Ihe receptacle I E has a bottom portion 25 welded or otherwisesecured to the lower portion of the receptacle IS and adjacent itscentral portion is a frusto-conical offset portion 2l for a purpose tobe later described. 25

A housing Y22, preferably of tubular form, is disposed about thereceptacle I6, but in spaced relation thereto, as more clearly shown inFig. 6, while the lower portion of the housing is offset at 23 toprovide a depending circumferential flange 30 which rigidly engages theflange I3 on the supporting member I2 Yand by means of which the housing22 is supported and maintained in proper position. The upper portion ofthe housing 22^ex tends inwardly to provide a top portion 24 which 35has an axial opening 25 provided therein. A cover member 26 is ofcomplementary formation with the top portion 24 of the housing 22. Thiscover member 26 is adapted to rest upon the Vtop portion 24 and isprovided with a depending cir- 40 cumferential flange 21 which engagesthe sides of the housing 22 to maintain the cover in proper position.The cover 26 also has an axial opening 28 in alignment with the opening25. A member 29 rests upon the outer side of the cover member 45 26 andhas a depending ilange 30 which extends through the openings 28 and 25,respectively, and which is rigidly secured to the cover member 26 andthe top portion 24 by means of a laterally eX- tending flange 3I, whichis peened over so as to 50 provide a rigid connection therebetween. Theiiange member I9 has a pipe 32 secured therein which extends upwardlythrough an opening 33 in the member 29 and has its free end exteriorlyscrew threaded at 34. 55

Suitable insulating material 35, which is heat repellent isdisposed'within the space provided between the receptacle I 5 and thehousing 22, the lower end of the insulating material being supportedupon the shoulder I4, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. Disposed within thefrusto-conical portion 2| is an electrical heating element 36 which isprovided with a spiral groove 3l adapted to receive suitable resistancewire of the heat transmitting type. This heating element 36 has itslower end disposed within an opening 38 in the bottom of the insulatingmaterial 35 and is removably secured by means of straps 39 which mayeither be secured to the insulating material 35 or to the ared portion l2 of the pedestal. The bottom of the heating element 36 is provided withopenings 48 through which the conductor wires extend and it isunderstood that the conductor wires also extend downwardly through thepedestal Il) and outwardly through an opening 4I at the lower portion ofthe pedestal where they may be connected to a suitable electrical plugfor connection with a suitable source of supply.

' 'The receptacle I6 is provided with a ilanged opening 42 in its bottom25, as more clearly shown in Fig. 6, being interiorly screw threaded toreceive one end of a drain pipe 43. An opening 44 is provided in theflared portion I2 through which the drain pipe 43 extends and its lowerend is provided with a manually operable valve 45 by means of which thewater in receptacle i5 may be drained off.

At the upper portion of the housing 22 a valve casing 46 is provided andhaving the function of a three-way valve. The valve casing 45 has alower extension 41 which is interiorly screw threaded and is mountedupon the screw threaded end 34 of the pipe 32. At the upper portion ofthe valve casing 45 is an opening 48 within which the lower end of apipe 49 is securely xed. The upper end of the pipe 49 is provided with aflared funnel-shaped member 5D through which water may be .introduced infilling the receptacle I6 to its proper level in a manner which will belater more fully described. f

Extending angularly with respect to the pipe 32 and the pipe 49 thevalve casing 46 is provided withV a pair of spaced non-communicativeopenings 5l and 52, respectively, within .which the inner ends of pipes53 and 54 are secured. The pipe 53 will be termed the steam supply pipe,While the pipe 54 will be referred to as the condensate return pipe. Theouter ends ci these pipes 53 and 54 are secured within non-communicativeopenings 55 and 5S provided in a'neck portion 5l oi a manifold 58.

The valve casing 46 is provided with a circular bore 59 which is incommunication with the pipe 49, the pipe 32, the steam supply pipe53Vand condensate return pipe 54, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. A valve 60of hollow construction is disposed within the valve casing 46 and isadapted to be rotated by reason of the engagement between the outersurface of the valve 60 and the bore 59. The valve S0 is provided withspaced transversely extending openings 55, 62, 33 and 64, which providecommunicating means between the various pipes and the interior of thevalve 63, which cooperate in a manner which will be later described, therelationship of the various openings depending upon the desired results.

The manifold 58 comprises an elongated housing oi any suitable materialand substantially open at its upper end and having a iiange 66 extendingcontinuously therearound. A partition 6'! divides the housing into asteam chamber 58 and a condensate chamber 69, the partition extendinglongitudinally of the housing and being in substantially parallel spacedrelation with respect to the side portions of the flange 35. A cover 10is disposed upon the open end of the housing and has a depending ange'll which engages with the upper outside portion of the flange rihecover 10 is provided with openings to receive machine bolts 'H' whichcooperate with screw threaded openings 'I2 provided upon the inner sidesof the flange 55 and upon the upper surface of the partition 51, asclearly shown in Fig. 7, for preventing accidental displacement. Thecover i5 is provided with transverse openings 'i3 spaced in apredetermined relationship which communicate with the steam chamber 58and transverse openings T4 located in a similar relationship, butcommunieating with the condensate chamber $9.

Screens 'l5 are disposed transversely within the openings 55 and 56 inthe neck portion 5l of the manifold, as more clearly shown in Fig. 6,being spaced apart longitudinally and having disposed therebetweenabsorbent material l5.

Secured within the openings T3 are a plurality of outwardly extendingtubular nipples 11 to which are attached the inner ends of flexiblerubber tubes 18. As many of these rubber tubes may be provided as isrequired, the maximum number of which, however, will correspond to themaximum number of waves which it is desired to place in the hair. Therubber tubes 'i8 have encircling their inner end portions throughout aconsiderable length tubular members .'9 of rigid material which tend tomaintain the rubber tubes 'IS in an upright position. However, to permitthese rubber tubes 18 to be distorted when in use coiled springs 80surround the inner ends of the tubular members 'i9 and the ends oi therubber tubes 18, which are mounted upon the nipples l'l, as clearlyshown in Fig. 6. It will also be noted that the use of the coiledsprings iikewise tends to maintain the ends of the rubber tubes inengagement with the nipples 'Il' to prevent accidental disengagementtherebetween. The rubber tubes 'i8 are, therefore,fadapted to bend, asshown in Fig. l,

by reason of spacing the ends oi the tubular mem- A liquid level 83 ismounted upon the housing` 22 and has a portion which ext/ends downwardlyinto engagement with the liquid within the receptacle l5 and a visualindicating portion which 50 These extends upwardly outside of thecasing, as indicated at 84, for informing the operator as to the amountof water present within the receptacle at any particular time.'

The electrical heating element 36 is operated for a predetermined periodto transmit suiiicient heat to the water within the receptacle l5 tocause the same to boil. In this manner the necessary steam is generatedfor carrying out the purpose of the invention. A time control mechanism85 of any well known type is mounted upon the outside of the housing 22and at the upper portion thereof. The mechanism is mounted within ahousing 88 secured, by means of bolts 8l and 88, to the member 29 andthe pipe 49, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The mechanism, however, is notshown within the housing 86, but is shown in Fig. 2. This consists of acustomary and well known type of time control switch in which anoperating hand 89 of a clock mechanism is adapted to be moved clockwisea certain distance equivalent to the number of minutes it is desiredthat theV heating element should remain on. When the operating hand 89is released the clock mechanism operates during the period of time forwhich it is set, during which time the circuit to the heating element isclosed. The minute that the operating hand arrives at the zero point thecircuit to the heating element is interrupted which causes adiscontinuance in the operation thereof until the operating hand hasagain been actuated.

The position of the valve 46, as shown in Fig. 6, shows the opening 6|in communication with the steam supply pipe 53 and the opening 63 incommunication with the pipe 32 leading into the receptacle i6.Therefore, any steam which has been generated is permitted to passthrough the pipe 32, through the valve, through the steam supply pipe 53and through the rubber tubes 18 to the discharge nozzles 8|. If theapparatus is not being used and the discharge nozzles 8| are inserted inthe manifold, as heretofore explained, the steam will be condensed andthe condensate Will collect in the condensate pipe 54. However, when theapparatus is not being employed the valve should be in a position inwhich the opening 6| is in communication with the condensate pipe 54, inwhich case the opening 92 would communicate with the pipe 32 therebyreturning the condensate to the inside of the receptacle. If the waterlevel should be reduced to an amount less than is desired, the valve isturned in the opposite direction in which the opening 62 is brought intocommunication with the pipe 49 and the opening 64 into communicationwith the pipe 32, the valve in this case shutting off communication withthe steam supply pipe 53. This permits water to be introduced into thefunnel-shaped member 50, through the pipe 49, through the valve andthrough the pipe 32 into the receptacle i9.

The apparatus, as heretofore described, may be used in conjunction witha new and novel hair clamping device described in the copending jointapplication of myself and John C. Murray, Serial No. 634,224, filedSeptember 21, 1932, and illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 hereof.

This hair clamping device 90 comprises a hair receiving rod 9| of anysuitable material and is decliningly tapered from adjacent its oppositeends to adjacent its central portion. The rod 9| is also provided with aplurality of circumferential grooves 92 spaced apart longitudinally ofthe rod and of decreasing diameter from adjacent opposite ends of therod to adjacent the center portion of the rod, as more clearly shown inFig. 4. Alongitudinally extending transverse slot 93 is provided in therod adjacent the central portion thereof and has disposed therein astrip of resilient frictional material 94, preferably rubber, with itslongitudinal edges extending slightly beyond the peripheral surface ofthe rod adjacent thereto. The rod 9|, preferably at its free end, isprovided with an extension of reduced diameter and has preferably arubber ring 95 secured thereto. The end of the extension is providedWith a transverse slot adapted to receive a suitable tool for tensioningthe hair after the same is wound upon the rod. The opposite end of therod 9| has an extension of reduced diametrolled by a ratchet.

ter upon which is preferably secured a rubber ring 96.

The rod 9| is adapted to be rotated about its longitudinal axispreferably in one direction only and to eiect such rotation the rod 9|is con- The ratchet in this case is internally mounted so as to preventany possibility of contact with the hair. V

The clamping means for the hair is provided` which engage the strands ofhair adjacent the scalp and prevent marking, at the same timemaintaining the hair against accidental slippage. The members 91 haveone of their ends pivotally connected at 98 to a portion of the rod 9|Vupon which it is rotatably supported and these members 91 are adapted tobe moved about the axis thereof until they assume the position shown inFig. 5, which is in parallel proximity with the rod. The opposite endsof the rods 91 have pivoted to one of the ends thereof at 99 a pair ofspaced links |00, the free ends of which have pivoted thereto at a lever|02. The spaced links |00 are adapted to be moved into cooperativeengagement with the opposite end |03 of the members 91 and acammedporton |04 upon the pivoted end of the lever |02 is adapted tocooperate with the extension to maintain the members 91 in closedposition.

The members 91 have secured to their upper portions cooperating halfsections |05 which, when moved into cooperating engagement, provide asteam chamber. Each half section |05 is adapted to be moved with themembers 91 and when in the open position, as shown in Fig. 4, may beemployed as a hand-grip while the hair is being Wound upon the rod.After the hair has been wound upon the rod the clamping members 91 aremoved into cooperating engagement, whereby the cooperating half sectionsare disposed around the wound sections of hair, as shown in Fig. 5, andlocked by means of the latch member |02.

One of the half sections |05 is provided with an opening |06 and aspring wire |01 is secured within the half section |05 and has a portioneX- tending beneath the opening. This spring is to operate with thegroove 82 provided upon the discharge nozzle 8| so as to hold the sameagainst accidental disengagement, as shown in Fig. 5. Openings |01 areprovided in the other half sectionv |05 to permit the steam to escape orto condense after it has served its purpose.

In operation the rod 9| is disposed in the position shown in Fig. 4 anda at strand of hair is selected upon the head and treated with asuitable solution to assist in causing the hair to curl. The free endsof the strands are placed upon the rod 9|, as shown in Fig. 4, and thenthe rod is rotated until the strand of hair is completely wound upon therod. At the end of the winding operation the rod 9| is adjacent thescalp, then a suitable moisture-absorbent material, such as absorbentpaper, is Wrapped around the wound hair, and the clamping members 91 arethen moved into cooperating engagement and then locked by means of thelever |02. 'Ihis also places the cooperating half sections |05 aroundthe wound strand of hair. As many of these curling devices are placedupon the head as are required to produce the desired number of curls.When all of the curling devices have been placed upon the head, thedischar-ge nozzles 8| on the end of the rubber tubes 78 are insertedinto the openings |06 and the valve 46 is then adjusted so that thesteam which has been previously generated in the receptacle I6 will passinto contact with the hair upon the rods. This steam treat- Vment'ispermitted to continue for the desired length of time to produce a wavingof the hair. After this steaming operation has been completed the" hairis' then removed from the rod and combed and treated in the manner whichis well known in the' art. Y

While I have described a'preferred embodiment cf the invention, it is tobe understood that I am not to be limited thereto, inasmuch as changesand modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spiritof the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an apparatus for curling hair, a hair receiving member upon whichstrands of hair are adapted to be wound from the ends inwardly tward thescalp, an enclosed chamber within which said wound hair is adapted to bedisposed, a steam producing means, communicating means .betweensaidsteam producing means and said enclosed chamber, and automaticcontrol means operatively connected with said steaniproducing means forcontrolling the same.

2. In an apparatus for curling hair, a hair receiving member upon whichstrands of hair are adapted to be wound from the ends inwardly towardthe scalp, an enclosed chamber within which said'wound hair is adaptedto be disposed, a steam producing means, communicating means betweensaid steam producing means and said enclosed chamber, andpredeterminately settable automatic control means operatively connectedwith said steam producing means for controlling the same.

3. In an apparatus for curling hair, a plurality of hair receivingmembers upon which strands of hair are adapted to be wound from the endsinwardly toward the scalp, a plurality of independent enclosed chamberswithin which .said wound hair is adapted to be disposed, a steamproducing means, communicating means between said steam producing meansand said enclosed ehamberskand predeterminately settable control meansoperatively connected with said steam producing means for controllingthe same. 4. A device of the character described comprising a watercontainer, means for heating the water, a manifold, means connectingsaid manifold to said container and provided with an out let passage forthe steam and a return passagev for the condensate, a plurality ofdischarge members having one end connected with said manifold and incommunication with said outlet passage, and a single manually operatedmeans for connecting said outleti passageV or saidreturn passage withsaid container.

5. A device of the character described comprising a water container,automatically controlled means for heating the water, a manifold, meansconnecting said manifold to said container and provided with an outletpassage for the steam and a return passage for the condensate, aplurality of discharge members having one end connected with saidmanifold and in communication with said outlet passage, and a singlemanually operated means for connecting said outlet passage or saidreturn passage with said container.

6. A device of the character described comprising a water containerprovided with an inlet opening, electrical means for heating the water,a manifold, means connecting said manifold to said container andprovided with an outlet passage for steam and a return passage for thecondensate, a plurality of discharge members having one end connected tosaid manifold and in communication with said outlet passage, and asingle manually operated means for connecting said container opening,said outlet passage or said return passage with said container.

7. A device of the character described comprising a water containerprovided with an inlet opening, means for heating the water, a manifold,means connecting said manifold to said container and provided with anoutlet passage for steam and a return passage for the condensate, aplurality of discharge members having one end connected to said manifoldand in communication withsaid outlet passage, and a multi-way valve forconnecting said inlet opening, said outlet passage, or said returnpassage with said container.

WILBUR S. LEWIS.

